are there any relatively cheap double rifles?

[FLIGHT762]

A number of years ago, Valmet of Finland imported some over/under double rifles in a few medium hunting calibers. They were nicely made and reasonably priced.

You can check for used ones on Gunbroker.

[zfields]

Saw a Remington double rifle in .45-70 at OC Armory a couple of weeks ago.

Any idea what kind of pressure they can take?

[Fjold]

Any idea what kind of pressure they can take?

Maximum Operating Pressure 2200 BAR or 31900 PSI

This is more than the trapdoor rifles can take but not as much as most modern lever rifles. You have to look up each load combination individually and work up from their starting loads staying below the 32,000 pressure limit.

With double rifles you don't worry about blowing up the rifle (although it can be done). The biggest danger is stressing the frame from to much breech thrust. Over a period of time you will stress the pivot area, the frame will deform and the the gun will come "off face". Which means that the frame to barrel joint will start to open up weakening the action and not allowing it to lock up correctly.

[browndog2186860]

valmet 412s

i have a valmet 412s with 2 barrell sets 2 by 308win and 2 by 12 gauge. It is a useful rifle. Double tapped a buffalo (asiatic) with a pair of 200grainers It didn't move one step.

[starsnuffer]

Besides the tradition behind them, what is the advantage of a double rifle compared to large bore lever gun in the field?

Usually each barrel is calibrated for a different range. Say barrel 1 for 100y and barrel 2 for 300y, or what have you.

-W

[jsipe007]

try savage... i thought they made one at one point in time

EDIT- Not finding any double rifle calibers. Just shotgun/22lr and stuff like that

[gun toting monkeyboy]

Usually each barrel is calibrated for a different range. Say barrel 1 for 100y and barrel 2 for 300y, or what have you.

-W

I don't know if that is true. One of the biggest issues with ammunition in SxS guns was regulating the ammunition so that both barrels had the same point of impact all the way down range. It is easier to remember to hold an inch or two high or low when something is coming to eat you than it is to remember which barrel is set up for which range. As for 300 yard shots, most of the traditional rounds that you had in doubles were close-in affairs. 150 yards would be about the max that you would be shooting at. If something is that far away, you may as well use a bolt gun. Shooting at something with open sights like that, with a gun that is meant for quick follow up shots inside 50 yards doesn't sound like the ideal situation to me.

-Mb


One other thing. You can get supplementary chamber inserts for SxS shotguns in a few different calibers. Things like .35 Remington and .30-30 Winchester. They aren't super hard-hitting calibers, but it is far cheaper to go that route than to buy a new double.

[Fjold]

Usually each barrel is calibrated for a different range. Say barrel 1 for 100y and barrel 2 for 300y, or what have you.

-W

Double rifles if regulated correctly, will shoot both barrels parallel to each other at all ranges. The left barrel should shoot 1/2" or so to the left of the bullseye and the right barrel should hit about 1/2" to the right of the bull.

They should not cross at any distance and both barrels should shoot to the same elevation with the loads that the gun was regulated to.


To the OP.

Butch Searcy (Searcy Rifle Manufacturing) up in Boron, California just announced a new stainless actioned Field Grade, in a variety of calibers, with ejectors only and built in left hand or right handed models for $8,750.

I'm considering not booking my next trip to Africa to get a left handed 470 Nitro Express built.

[Hoop]

I was always told they were regulated at a certain range, ie 50 yards both barrels hit the same point of impact.

Either way there was a company selling double rifles imported by Beretta (maybe it was the Valmet brand I don't remember) they were over under. I do remember one selling on this forum in 9.3x74R and 12 gauge (one double for each caliber) for 1200bucks.

[stix213]

[smle-man]

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_229/products_id/60304/USSG+45-70+Govt+Side+By+Side+Double+Rifle23.5%22+Blued+Barrel

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/37_229/products_id/60303/USSG+30-06+Spg.+Side+By+Side+Double+Rifle23.5%22+Blued+Barrel

-- Michael

That is an amazing price for a double rifle. Doubles are very hard to regulate to shoot to the same point of aim on both barrels and usually require a lot of trial and error labor to get them regulated which runs up the labor cost fast. A double rifle for $750? Amazing!!

[VegasND]

Go find one and look at it. You'll realize that this rifle isn't so amazing after all.

That is an amazing price for a double rifle. Doubles are very hard to regulate to shoot to the same point of aim on both barrels and usually require a lot of trial and error labor to get them regulated which runs up the labor cost fast. A double rifle for $750? Amazing!!

[Fjold]

That is an amazing price for a double rifle. Doubles are very hard to regulate to shoot to the same point of aim on both barrels and usually require a lot of trial and error labor to get them regulated which runs up the labor cost fast. A double rifle for $750? Amazing!!

I've got one, they don't come regulated. One barrel is fixed and you build a load to fit that barrel and adjust the sights for that load/barrel. The right hand barrel move left and right using a jackscrew located between the two barrels. The muzzle of the right barrel fits the front sight collar loosely and you have to shim it for vertical adjustments.

[smle-man]

I've got one, they don't come regulated. One barrel is fixed and you build a load to fit that barrel and adjust the sights for that load/barrel. The right hand barrel move left and right using a jackscrew located between the two barrels. The muzzle of the right barrel fits the front sight collar loosely and you have to shim it for vertical adjustments.

How well does that work and once you get it zero'd does it stay that way?

[elsolo]

BRNO makes a double, imported by CZ-USA.
.458 winmag, .416 rigby, or.375 H&H
Listed at $5000, so probably about the most expensive thing in the catalog.

http://www.cz-usa.com/products/view/brno-stopper-express-double-rifle/